Cannabis sativa: 2023-Outbreak and Re-emergence of Nipah virus (NiV) in India: Role of Hemp oil

Abstract

This review paper highlights and updates the outbreak of Nipah virus (NiV), an emerging zoonotic bat borne virus that can cause severe respiratory illness and deadly encephalitis in humans. Nipah virus (NiV) outbreak was first reported in 1998 from Malaysia and then recorded in Bangladesh, India, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. A recent fifth outbreak of Nipah virus (NiV) during August-September 2023 in Kerala State, India brought this emerging-re-emerging virus into the spotlight again. Due to the lack of vaccines and drugs with proven effectiveness against Nipah virus (NiV), treatment of patients is limited to supportive and prophylactic. Fruit bats are the main reservoir for this virus, which can cause disease in humans and animals. Nipah virus (NiV) can be transmitted from bats or livestock to humans, typically via contaminated food (fruit or raw date palm sap), and person-to-person through respiratory secretions. Hemp seed oil has gained remarkable popularity due to its perceived therapeutic properties, particularly antiviral properties for potential health benefits. During the recent outbreak of Nipah virus (NiV), the local traditional healers in India used hemp oil as the mouth wash for controlling throat infections, head ache, vomiting and suggested for the consumption of hemp seeds and oil as the functional food. However, clinical trials and scientific data supporting antiviral activity of Cannabis oil (CBD oil) against Nipah virus (NiV) is lacking. Therefore, further research should focus on exploring the molecular mechanisms of hemp oil against Nipah virus (NiV) is warranted. Multicenter clinical trials should be performed to validate the efficacy of hemp oil alone or in the form of formulations for the treatment of viral infections.

Industrial Cannabis sativa: Hemp Plastic-Updates

“…Hemp plants can grow to heights of up to 5 m and can develop a tap root penetrating up to 2 m into the soil . The majority of above ground hemp biomass comes from the tall lignocellulosic plant stalk, which has been used for fibre for thousands of years [20-42, 51, 52].The hemp stalk has two main fibre types: long bast fibres and short hurd fibres 52]. The outer bast fibres surround the vascular tissue of the hemp stalk, whereas the hurd makes up the woody core 51].…”

“…Bioplastics from hemp can be produced by extracting cellulose from the stalks and fibres of hemp and converting it into a polymer that can be moulded into various shapes and forms. Hemp plastics can be processed using existing equipment and techniques, making it a cost-effective and scalable solution for plastic manufacturers and users [1,[43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53]. One of the most significant benefits of hemp plastic is its biodegradability.…”

“…One of the most significant benefits of hemp plastic is its biodegradability. Unlike traditional plastic, which takes centuries to decompose, this plastic can biodegrade within six months to a year, depending on the environmental conditions [1,[43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53]. Production costs of all bio-plastics have seen a gradual decrease with an increase in yearly production volumes [1,[43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50].…”

“…However, while plastic such as polyethylene brings us convenience, and also threatens environmental sustainability and human health [1][2][3][4][5][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50]. The negative impact of non-degradable composites on the environment has sparked a revolutionary transition to eco-materials and biocomposites [1][2][3][4][5][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52]. Polylactic acid (PLA) is the most produced biodegradable plastic [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50].…”

“…The minimal production cost of plastic is much lower than the recycling cost [1-7, 8 43-50]. This has led to a large accumulation of plastic waste in the natural environment, which has already negatively impacted life on land and in the sea [5,7,8,[43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52]. The negative impact of non-degradable composites on the environment has sparked a revolutionary transition to eco-materials and bio-composites [1][2][3][4][5][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50].…”